1400-year-old coins stashed by Christians fleeing persecution found near Jerusalem

A stashed collection of ancient bronze coins that may have belonged to Christians fleeing invading Persian forces has been found on the highway to Jerusalem in an archaeological dig.

The coins date back to the late Byzantine era of 7th century CE, and were discovered by the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) in an excavation that began in June 2016.

The uncovered coins could be easily dated because they bear the images of the Emperor’s under which they were made. In this case they bore the icons of emperors Justinian (483-565 AD), Maurice (539-602 CE) and Phocas (547-610 CE). They were all minted in present day Turkey. Each coin shows the image of the emperor in military dress, carrying a cross, while the reverse of the coin shows its denomination.

The coins were were discovered alongside a collapsed two-storey building, which once served Christian pilgirims on their way to Jerusalem. The dig also discovered an ancient winepress.